GALLOWS

Night had come and all those who had gathered in my room had left. For hours I lay still in my bed, staring into the air, trying to process it all. The feeling of grief, and loss and confusion was making my head spin. Not to talk of my undead father. The wide windows in my room were open, letting in the cool breeze and dim moonlight. I step out of bed and walk towards the balcony into the breeze. Standing there, I could see what was probably the entire kingdom of Daryn. I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I beheld its beauty. How could I have had so much hatred for this place?

“Don’t be so hard on yourself” the voice within me smoothly fluttered in my mind

“Where have you been all my life Gaia?” i asked her in my mind

“I’ve been here. Waiting for the right time to show myself darling” she answers

I hear a knock before my door swings open

“I came to help you pack up your bag for the Training Academy” I hear Yoda say

My mind goes back to the conversation that Frieda and my father were having in the dining room.

Yoda sees the confusion on my face and inhales deeply before explaining

“Every Daryn at some point must go through the training academy, where they shall learn combat skills, and how to control their powers. You also need training on how to connect with your Paliar although it looks like you have no problem with that.”

“When do we leave?” i ask

First thing tomorrow morning,  before sunrise.

Before sunrise? I could barely wake up before noon, how was I supposed to wake up before sunrise?

“Why so early?” i ask

“Because the journey is long” she answers simply.

Judging by the fact that I was kidnapped here, I had none of my old clothes with me. “What exactly are you going to pack?” i ask

“Just weapons and a few of my clothes that I brought for you. At least until you get -”

“Excuse me? Did you just say weapons?” i ask bewildered

“Yes i did” she looks at me with a straight face

I silently watch her as she picks a duffle bag from the enormous cabinet and starts stuffing it with some clothes that she dropped on the bed earlier. She unstraps a dagger from her thigh, and drops it into the bag. She drops in 2 guns, a few ninja star blades, some darts, a pocket knife and what looked like a can of pepper spray.

“Are we going to fight bears at the academy?” i yell

“Trust me, you’re gonna wish you fought bears” she answers in a monotone voice.

“Meet me downstairs before sunrise. We will travel with Yohan and Mateo” she adds

Memories of the arrogant demigod i met at the library flooded my mind

“Who is Yohan?”

“My brother, the one who ‘kidnapped’ you” she answers

The beautiful Greek god who threw me over his shoulder. I remember

“H-he’s your brother?” i stutter

“Yes he is. Now get some rest before the journey. You’ll need it” she says before she turns around and struts out

Yoda is everything I wish I was. Not only was she incredibly beautiful. I mean, everyone here is drop dead gorgeous, but her aura was powerful, her gaze deep, causing anyone under her glare to cower. Even though she spoke to me without emotion, I knew that she probably had a bit of concern for me.

I stare at the packed duffle bag on my bed for a minute and then settle back in bed. The events of the entire day flood my mind but I take a deep breath and swallow the tears that threaten to well up. Tomorrow, my new life begins